AWS to invest $5 billion in South Korea’s AI future

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is making a bold move in Asia, announcing a $5 billion investment in South Korea by 2031 to establish advanced artificial intelligence data centres. The decision was unveiled during a meeting between AWS CEO Matt Garman and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on the sidelines of the APEC Summit.

The initiative aligns with South Korea’s growing ambition to emerge as one of the world’s top three AI leaders. President Lee welcomed the commitment, calling it a significant step in building a robust AI-driven economy.

According to reports, AWS has pledged around $40 billion in total investments across 14 non-U.S. APEC economies by 2028, boosting global tech infrastructure and creating downstream benefits worth an estimated $45 billion to the U.S. economy.

Earlier in June, AWS partnered with South Korea’s SK Group for another $5 billion project aimed at developing the nation’s largest data centre. The company has also been expanding in other Asian markets, including Japan, Australia, and Singapore.

The announcement came alongside commitments from six other global corporations, collectively promising $9 billion in investments over the next five years to strengthen South Korea’s innovation landscape.

However, the news arrives at a time when Amazon is restructuring its global operations. The company recently confirmed 14,000 job cuts, as it shifts focus towards artificial intelligence and automation to streamline its business model.

Despite the layoffs, Amazon’s growing investment in AI infrastructure signals a long-term vision—one where technology leads not just retail, but the future of digital transformation across economies.